Bongbong Marcos signs SIM Card Registration Act

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday signed the SIM Card Registration Act, the first law he signed as the country’s chief executive.

The SIM Card Registration Act, Republic Act No. 11934, highlights the following:

• Before selling SIM cards, telco companies and direct sellers are required to ask for a valid identification document.
• Registering a SIM card with false or fictitious information, using fictitious identities, or carrying out fraudulent activities will be subject to appropriate penalties.
• In case of a subpoena or court order, telcos must give out SIM card owners’ full names and addresses.
• People with SIM cards already need to register with telcos within a certain time frame. SIM cards will be deactivated if you don’t.
• Subscriber SIM cards must be kept on file by telecommunications companies. A list of authorized dealers and agents nationwide must be submitted quarterly to the National Telecommunications Commission by companies.
• Telcos may be asked by law enforcement agencies to look up the owner of a SIM card when they investigate crimes committed through phones.

A signing ceremony was held at the Ceremonial Hall in Malacañang and was attended by several lawmakers led by House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez.

According to Office of the Press Secretary officer-in-charge Cheloy Garafil, the SIM Card Registration Act aims to provide “accountability in the use of SIM cards and aid law enforcers to track perpetrators of crimes committed through phones.”

The signing of the measure will likewise “significantly boost government initiatives against scams committed through text and online messages, which have become more prevalent this year.”

The SIM Registration Act and the bill postponing the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls are the first two enrolled bills of the 19th Congress.

gsg/abc